City to decide on trio's future

Manchester City have played down reports that young defender Jason Denayer will go on loan to a Championship club next season.

The future of the 19-year-old Belgium international defender, along with those of fellow up-and-coming Blues Karim Rekik and Marcos Lopes, will be decided in the summer

Rekik this week hinted the Blues want him tested in a tougher league next season, but the dilemma of what to do with their starlets is looming for the club.

"Rony" Lopes is the third name being mentioned, another youngster who has been a roaring success during a season-long loan at Lille - and his immediate destiny will be decided in the summer.

All three have had very good seasons. Denayer is in the running for Scotland's Young Player of the year award after a fine campaign with Celtic, Lopes has quickly established himself as Lille's best player and Rekik has won the Dutch title with PSV Eindhoven.

Now City have to work out the best way of developing their careers - do they return and challenge for a place in Manuel Pellegrini's squad, return to their recent clubs, or go on loan to another club?